Bay Area Family hopes to help others overcome challenges with premature births
3 mins read

Bay Area Family hopes to help others overcome challenges with premature births

A River fight Family with two premature children participated in a competition to finance their dream of helping other families by going through similar situations.

Backstory:

Amber and Andrew Vassell know about HCA Florida Brandon Nicu as the back of his hands.

“It’s honestly something I would never wish for a parent,” Andrew said. “Not being able to take your child home is something that is very challenging.”

Amber and Andrew Vassell hope to win a competition that would allow them to help other families that handle premature births. (With permission: Family Vassell.)

Amber and Andrew Vassell hope to win a competition that would allow them to help other families that handle premature births. (With permission: Family Vassell.)

Since the beginning of September, when their third child, Aaliyah, was born, they have developed a routine.

“No one expects your child to be in the hospital for five months,” he said. “Travel back and forth to the hospital every day, sometimes twice a day.”

Aaliyah was born in just 26 weeks old and weighed 1 pounds, 6 ounces. Their second -born, Austen, shares a similar story: delivered at 25 weeks and in Nicu for 118 days.

Two of Amber and Andrew Vassell's children were born prematurely and spent months in Nicu. (With permission: Family Vassell.)

Two of Amber and Andrew Vassell’s children were born prematurely and spent months in Nicu. (With permission: Family Vassell.)

“It’s something no one prepares you for,” said Amber.

Through everything, Amber and Andrew remained and positive in their partnership.

“We knew she would do it. We knew he would,” said Amber.

Dares to dream the challenge

What is next:

The couple learned as they walked and maintained hope for a positive result. Amber said one night in January while she was in Nicu with Aaliyah, she had to think.

“It just came to me. God spoke to me and said,” You can’t come here twice and not help others as other parents or other mothers who go through, “she said.

Now with Baby Aaliyah, which will be released on Tuesday, the couple wants to spread their knowledge and support other families through their Nicu Navigator idea.

Amber and Andrew Vassell hope to win a competition that would allow them to help other families that handle premature births.

Amber and Andrew Vassell hope to win a competition that would allow them to help other families that handle premature births.

“I said:” Let’s create a guide/journal where they may have some that help them go through the process but also some where they can document their child’s progress, their recipes, their upwards, their declines, “said Amber.

Last week, the couple went into town for the creators’ ‘Dare to Dream Challenge’ in the hope of winning a contribution to launch the project.

“They will pay for your expenses for a whole year, and not only do it but help you give you guidance on how to run your business and such,” said Amber.

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The big price is worth more than $ 140,000. Amber told Fox 13 on Monday that almost 2,000 items have been submitted. A winner will be selected on Sunday, February 16.

“Winning this competition and having time back with her is everything,” she said, “this is our love letter to everyone else who goes through this or undergoing this. You are seen. You are heard.”

For more information about Dare to Dream Challenge, Click here.

The source: Information for this story was gathered by Fox 13’s Jennifer Kveglis.

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